United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Standby Energy Authorities Act - Sets forth the findings of Congress with regard to energy shortages. States that the purposes of this Act are to grant specific temporary standby authority to impose end-use rationing and to reduce demand by regulating public and private consumption of energy, subject to congressional review and right of approval or disapproval, and to authorize specified other temporary emergency actions to be exercised, to assure that the essential needs of the United States for fuels will be met. Authorizes the President to establish a program for the rationing and ordering of priorities among classes of end-users of crude oil, residual fuel oil, or any refined petroleum products. Provides that such a program shall take effect only if the President finds that it is necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act. Empowers the President to promulgate energy conservation plans which, subject to congressional review and right of approval of disapproval, may be implemented to reduce energy consumption to levels which can be supplied by available energy resources. Details the procedure for congressional review of energy conservation plans. Requires that any proposed energy conservation or rationing plan submitted to Congress for approval be accompanied by findings of fact on which the action is based, the rationale for the proposal, and an evaluation of the potential economic impact of the proposal. Authorizes the President to allocate supplies of material and equipment in order to maximize domestic energy supplies if he finds: (1) that such supplies are scarce and essential to maintain or further exploration, production, refining, transportation, and conservation of energy; and (2) such maintenance and furtherance cannot reasonably be accomplished without exercising authority specified in this Act. Requires the President to submit to Congress, within 30 days after enactment of this Act, a report on the manner in which such allocation is to be administered. Empowers the President to undertake measures to supplement domestic energy supplies. Authorizes the President to require on a mandatory basis that existing domestic oil fields on Federal lands produce at their maximum efficient rate. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the production from specified Naval Petroleum Reserves. Requires that any allocation made under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act must be adjusted to take into account other factors besides the historical supply period now used as the allocation base. Provides for priority fuel allocations to be made to those engaged in the exploration, production, and transportation of fuels and other minerals. Provides that, to the maximum extent practicable, restrictions on the use of energy shall be designed to be carried out in such manner so as to be fair and to create a reasonable distribution of the burden on all sectors of the economy, without imposing an unreasonably disproportionate share on any specific industry, business, or commercial enterprise. Provides that, within 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Federal Maritime Commission, and the Interstate Commerce Commission shall report separately to the appropriate committees of Congress on the need for additional regulatory authority in order to conserve fuel while continuing to provide for the public convenience and necessity. States that, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, nothing in this Act shall be deemed to convey to any person subject to this Act any immunity from civil or criminal liability or to create defenses to actions, under the antitrust laws. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration to provide for the establishment of such advisory committees as he determines are necessary. States that any such committees shall be subject to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Requires that a full and complete verbatim transcript of all advisory committee meetings shall be kept and made available for public inspection and copying. Provides until June 30, 1985, for the establishment of voluntary agreements and plans of action to accomplish the objectives of this Act. Requires the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission to monitor the development, implementation, and carrying out of plans of action and voluntary agreements authorized under this Act to assure the protection and fostering of competition and the prevention of anticompetitive practices and effects. Provides that actions taken in good faith to implement a voluntary agreement or carry out a plan of action developed in accord with this Act constitute a limited defense to any civil or criminal action brought under the antitrust laws. States that such defense shall not apply to acts or practices (1) occurred prior to the enactment of this Act; (2) outside the scope and purpose or not in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Act; or (3) subsequent to the expiration or repeal of this Act. Authorizes the President to restrict exports of fuels and equipment needed for energy exploration and production under such terms as he deems appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act, and taking into account the historical trading relations of the United States with Canada and Mexico. Sets forth the administrative procedures to govern actions taken pursuant to this Act and to a specified provision of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act. States that notice of all proposed substantive rules and orders of general applicability described in this Act shall be given by publication of such rule or order in the Federal Register, with a minimum of 10 days thereafter provided for opportunity to comment. Grants an exception to the 10-day requirement where the President finds that strict compliance would seriously impair the operation of the program to which such rule or order relates. Provides that judicial review of administrative rulemaking of general and national applicability done under this Act may be obtained only by filing a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, or, in the case of rulemaking with less than national applicability, in the appropriate circuit court of appeals. States that notwithstanding the amounts in controversy, the U.S. district courts shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all other cases or controversies arising under this Act, except any actions taken by specified commissions. Declares that the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration may by rule prescribe procedures for State or local boards which carry out functions under this Act or the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act. Provides for a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 for each violation of any provision of this Act or of rules, regulations, or orders issued pursuant to any such provision. Prescribes a fine or not more than $5,000 for each violation where such violation is willful. Makes it unlawful for any person to offer for sale or distribute in commerce any product or commodity in violation of an applicable order or regulation issued pursuant to this Act. States that any person who knowlingly and willfully violates this provision after having been subjected to a civil penalty for a prior violation of such provision shall be fined not more than $50,000 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Authorizes the Attorney General to obtain temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions against actual or impending violations of this act. Provides that private individuals suffering legal wrong because of any act or practice arising out of a violation of this Act may seek an injunction or declaratory judgment, but may not recover damages. States that, within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration shall by rule, after opportunity for interested persons, to make oral presentations establish criteria for delegation of his functions under this Act or the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act to officers or local boards (of balanced composition reflecting the community as a whole) of States or political subdivisions thereof. Allows appropriate offices and boards to petition for the receipt of such delegation. Directs the Administrator to provide financial assistance for the purpose of assisting eligible State or local energy conservation programs, with at least one half of such sums apportioned on the basis of each State's population. Sets forth criteria that a State must meet in order to be eligible to receive financial assistance. Authorizes to be appropriated for such purpose a sum not to exceed $50,000,000 for each of the two fiscal years including and following the effective date of this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to request, acquire, and collect such energy information as he determines is necessary to achieve the purposes of this act. Defines the term "energy information. Provides that the authority under this Act to prescribe any rule or order, or to enforce any such rule or order, shall expire at midnight, June 30, 1985, but such expiration shall not affect any action or pending proceedings not finally determined on such date. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Administrator such sums as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. Declares that if any provision of this Act, or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Act, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby. Directs the President to designate, where applicable and not otherwise provided by law, an appropriate Federal agency to carry out the provisions of this Act after the termination of the Federal Energy Administration in accordance with the Federal Energy Administration Act. Extends the mandatory allocation program under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act until December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Petroleum Price Increase Limitation Act - Prohibits for a period of ninety days the lifting of all price controls on domestic oil. Requires thereafter the submission to, and the right of review and disapproval of, the Congress of such action within thirty days.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
National Energy Conservation Fuel Economy Performance Standards Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Purpose - States that the goal of this Act is an improvement in fuel economy at the earliest possible date. Title II: Automobile Fuel Efficiency - Sets forth a mandatory fuel economy automobile performance standard. Provides that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall prescribe minimum fuel-economy performance standards for all classes of new passenger motor vehicles for model year 1977 and each year thereafter. Specifies that the fuel-economy standard for model year 1980 shall not be less than 22 miles per gallon and the standard for model year 1985 shall not be less than 24.5 miles per gallon. Requires the Administrator, in formulating standards, to take into account the available technology, the time necessary to develop and apply the requisite technology, and the economic and environmental impact of such standards. Makes it the duty of the Administrator to determine and publish for the benefit of consumers, information with respect to motor vehicle fuel efficiency. Directs each manufacturer to affix and each dealer to maintain, in a prominent place, a sticker indicating the minimum fuel economy as determined by the Administrator. Empowers the Administrator to require any person to file reports, or answers in writing, to questions relating to any function of the Administrator under this title. Requires every manufacturer of passenger motor vehicles to establish records and provide the Administrator with information necessary to enable the Administrator to carry out the duties under this Act. Specifies prohibited conduct by manufacturers and civil penalties for such conduct. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Administrator for carrying out the provisions of this title such sums as necessary, not to exceed $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and not to exceed $2,000,000 annually through fiscal year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Emergency Public Service Employment Extension Act - Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the emergency jobs program under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Child and Family Service Act - Title I: Child and Family Service Programs - Provides that the Secretary shall take all necessary action to coordinate child and family service programs under his jurisdiction and that, to this end, he shall establish and maintain within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Child and Family Services administered by a Director appointed by the President with the advise and consent of the Senate. Provides that such office shall assume the responsibility of the Office of Child Development and shall be the principal agency of the Department for the administration of this Act. Establishes a Child and Family Services Coordinating Council, consisting of the Director of the Office of Child and Family Services (who shall serve as chairperson), and representatives from the Federal agencies administering the Social Security Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and from the appropriate Federal agencies. Requires the Department of Labor, and other appropriate agencies, to meet on a regular basis, as they may deem necessary, in order to assure coordination of child and family service activities under their respective jurisdictions so as to assure maximum use of available resources through the prevention of duplication of activities; and to structure the activities related to the purposes of this Act. States that funds available for this title may be used (in accordance with approved applications and plans) for planning and developing child and family service programs; establishing, maintaining, and operating child and family service programs, which may include: (1) part-day or full-day child care programs, which provide educational, health, nutritional, and social services directed toward enabling participating children to attain their maximum potential; (2) other health, social, recreational, and educational programs designed to meet the special needs of children and families including before- and after- school and summer programs; (3) social services to help families determine the appropriateness of child and family services and the possibility of alternative plans; (4) prenatal, post partum and other medical care, including services to expectant mothers who cannot afford such services, designed to help reduce handicapping conditions among the newborn; (5) programs designed to meet the special needs of ethnic groups and to meet the needs of all children to understand the history and cultural backgrounds of ethnic groups and the role of members of such groups in the history and cultural development of the Nation and the region in which they reside; (6) food and nutritional services; (7) diagnosis, identification, and treatment, and special activities designed to ameliorate physiological, mental, psychological, and emotional barriers to full participation in child and family service programs; (8) programs designed to extend child and family service gains (particularly parent participation) into the kindergarten and early primary grades, in cooperation with local educational agencies; (9) other such services and activities as the Secretary deems appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of this Act; (10) rental, lease or lease-purchase, mortgage amortization payments, renovation, acquisition and maintenance of necessary equipment and supplies, and to the extent authorized by this Act, construction or acquisition of facilities, including mobile facilities; (11) preservice and inservice education and training for professional and paraprofessional personnel, including parents and volunteers, especially education and training for career development and advancement; (12) staff and other administrative expenses of child and family service councils and of project policy committees established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and (13) dissemination of information in the functional language of those to be served to assure that parents are well informed of child and family service programs available to them and may participate in such programs. Provides that a State, locality, or combination of localities may be designated by the Secretary as a prime sponsor for the purpose of entering into arrangements to carry out programs under this title. Enumerates the requirements which must be met by States and localities submitting prime sponsorship applications. States that each prime sponsor shall establish and maintain a Child and Family Service Council of specified composition. States that such Council shall be responsible for approving child and family service plans, basic goal, policies, procedures, overall budget policies and project funding, and the selection or establishment and annual renewal of an administering agency or agencies and will be responsible for annual and ongoing evaluation of child and family service programs according to criteria established by the Secretary. States that financial assistance under this title may be provided by the Secretary for fiscal year 1976 and any subsequent fiscal year to a prime sponsor only pursuant to a child and family service plan which is submitted by such prime sponsor and approved by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of this title. Specifies the elements to be contained in such plans, and the procedure including opportunity for airing of views with respect to such plan, for approval or disapproval of the plan. States that funds may be provided by the prime sponsor for carrying out any program under such prime sponsor's comprehensive child and family service plan only to a qualified public or private agency or organization, including but not limited to an educational agency or institution, a community action agency, single-purpose Headstart agency, community development corporation, parent cooperative, organization of migrant agricultural workers, organization of Indians, organization interested in child care, employer or business organization, labor union, or employee or labor management organization, or by any other public or private agency whose project application is approved by the Child and Family Service Council of the prime sponsorship. Provides for special grants to States for necessary expenses incident to the operation of programs authorized by this Act in such States, and, in addition to the conditions which must be met for such grants, requires that grants for construction or acquisition of facilities may be made only if such construction or acquisition is essential to the provision of adequate child care services. Title II: Standards, Enforcement, And Evaluations - Provides that, within six months after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate a common set of program standards which shall be applicable to all programs providing child care services under this or any other Federal Act, to be known as the Federal Standards for Child Care. Provides that the Secretary shall, within sixty days of the enactment of this Act, appoint a Special Committee on Federal Standards for Child Care to participate in the development of Federal Standards for child care and modifications thereof. Provides for the development of a minimum code for child and family service facilities to be addressed to the health, safety, and physical comfort of the children participating in such programs. Provides for the withholding of grants where prime sponsors fail to conform with their approved plans or applicable standards and regulations. Title III: Research and Demonstrations - States that it is the purpose of this title to assist and encourage the provision of urgently needed facilities for child care and comprehensive child services programs. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare is authorized to insure any mortgage (including advances on such mortgage during construction) in accordance with the provisions of this title upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe and make commitments for insurance of such mortgage prior to the date of its execution or disbursement thereon. Provides that the mortgage shall be executed by a mortgagor approved by the Secretary, and that such mortgages shall involve in principal obligation of up to $250,000 and not to exceed 90 percent of the estimated replacement costs of properties or projects when the proposed improvements are completed. Creates a Child and Family Services Facility Insurance Fund which shall be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all the insurance provisions of this title, including mortgage insurance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, or other arrangements to carry out a program of research and demonstration projects, which shall include but not be limited to: (1) research to develop techniques to measure and evaluate child and family services, and to develop standards to evaluate professional and paraprofessional child and family service personnel; (2) research to test preschool programs emphasizing reading and reading readiness; (3) preventive medicine, techniques, and technology to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases and learning disabilities of pre-school children; (4) research to test alternative methods of providing child and family service; (5) evaluation of research findings and the development of these findings and the effective application thereof; (6) dissemination and application of research and development efforts and demonstration projects to child and family service programs and early childhood education programs; (7) production of informational systems and other resources necessary to support the activities authorized by this Act; and (8) a study of the need on a nationwide basis for child and family services programs and of the resources, including personnel, which are available to meet this need. Title IV: Training of Personnel for Child and Family Services - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to enable individuals employed or preparing for employment in child and family services programs assisted under this Act to participate in preservice or inservice training programs for professional and nonprofessional personnel. Title V: General Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Provides for nutrition services to be provided to child and family service programs under the National School Lunch Act of 1946 and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Emergency Petroleum Allocation Extension Act - Provides for the extension of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act from August 31, 1975, to December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Milk Price Support Act - Provides for the setting of the price support of milk at not less than 100 percent of parity under the provisions of the Agricultural Act of 1949 as the Secretary determines is necessary in order to assure an adequate supply of pure and wholesome milk to meet current needs, reflect changes in the cost of production, and assure a level of farm income to maintain productive capacity sufficient to meet anticipated future needs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Bilingual Courts Act - Provides for bilingual proceedings in all district courts of the United States in both civil and criminal actions where it is determined that a party to the action or one of his witnesses does not understand the English language. Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Judiciary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Indian Health Care Improvement Act - States that the Congress declares that it is the policy of this Nation, in fulfillment of its special responsibilities and legal obligation to the American Indian people, to meet the national goal of providing the highest possible health status to Indians and to provide existing Indian health services with all resources necessary to effect that policy. Defines the terms used in this Act. Title I: Indian Health Manpower - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare acting through the Indian Health Service, to make grants to public or nonprofit private health or educational entities or Indian tribes or tribal organizations to assist such entities in meeting the costs of: (1) identifying Indians with a potential for education or training in the health professions and encouraging and assisting them; (2) publicizing existing sources of financial aid available to Indians enrolled in any medical or health-related school referred to in this Act are undertaking training necessary to qualify them to enroll in any such school; or (3) establishing other programs which the Secretary determines will enhance and facilitate the enrollment of Indians, and the subsequent pursuit and completion by them of courses of study, in any school referred to in this act. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the five fiscal years after enactment of this Act for payment of such grants. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make scholarship grants for up to two years to Indians who: (1) have successfully completed their high school education or high school equivalency; and (2) have demonstrated the capability to successfully complete courses of study in schools of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, or allied health professions. Authorizes appropriations for scholarship grants of $2,000,000 for the first fiscal year after enactment of this Act; $4,000,000 for the second fiscal year; and $6,000,000 for each of the three succeeding fiscal years. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make scholarship grants to individuals who are enrolled in schools of medicine, osteopathy, denistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, or allied health professions, and who agree to provide their professional services to Indians after the completion of their professional training. Authorizes appropriations for such grants of $8,000,000 for the first fiscal year after enactment of this Act; $16,000,000 for the second fiscal year; $22,000,000 for the third fiscal year; $30,000,000 for the fourth fiscal year; $34,000,000 for the fifth fiscal year; and, for each succeeding fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary to continue to make scholarship grants under this section to individuals who have received such grants prior to the end of the fifth fiscal year and who are eligible for such grants during each such succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make grants to individuals, nonprofit entities, appropriate public or private agencies, educational institutions, or Indian tribes and tribal organizations to enable the recipients of such grants to establish and carry out programs to train individuals so as to enable them to provide their services to Indians. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this section $1,000,000 for each of the five fiscal years after enactment of this Act. States that the Secretary, may provide allowances to health professionals employed in the Service to enable them for a period of time each year prescribed by regulation of the Secretary to take leave of their duty stations for professional consultation and refresher training courses. Title II: Health Services - Authorizes the Secretary to expend specific amounts of funds over a five-year fiscal period for the following health services: (1) patient care, (2) field health, excluding dental care, (3) dental care, (4) mental health, (5) treatment and control of alcoholism, (6) provision of health care personnel in primary and secondary Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and (7) maintenance and repair. Title III: Health Facilities - Authorizes the Secretary to expend $561,000,000 over a five-fiscal-year period in order to eliminate inadequate, outdated, and otherwise unsatisfactory service hospitals, health centers, health stations, and other service facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to expend $378,000,000 within a five-fiscal-year period following the enactment of this Act, to supply unmet needs for safe water and sanitary waste disposal facilities in existing and new Indian homes and communities. Title IV: Access to Health Services - Provides that the Secretary may enter into agreements with the appropriate State agency for the purpose of reimbursing such agency for health care and services provided in Service facilities to Indians who are beneficiaries of the Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act. Title V: Health Services for Urban Indians - Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to enter into contracts with urban Indian organizations to assist such organizations to establish and administer, in the urban centers in which such organizations are situated, programs which meet the requirements set forth in this Act of making health services more accessible to the urban Indian population. Authorizes to be appropriated for the purpose of this title: $5,000,000 for the first fiscal year after enactment of this Act; $10,000,000 for the second fiscal year; and $15,000,000 for the third fiscal year. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Requires the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on progress made in effecting the purposes of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of $150,000 to support a one-year study by the National Indian Health Board of mental health problems, including alcoholism and related problems, among Indians.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
National Food and Agriculture Stabilization Act - Provides that loans and purchase levels established pursuant to the Agricultural Act of 1949 shall always be available at a minimum of two-thirds of the established prices for wheat and feed grains. Provides a new formula for payments to producers of wheat, feed grains, and upland cotton in order to encourage production of such crops through crop year 1978. Provides, with respect to the 1975 through 1978 crops of wheat, grain sorghum, cotton, oats, and barley, that the Commodity Credit Corporation shall not sell any of its stocks of such commodities at less than 150 percent of the established price applicable by law to the current crop of any such commodity. Prevents the recall of price-support loans on wheat, feed grains, cotton, or soybeans prior to the expiration of three years from the date on which such loans were made in the case where such commodities are held privately for sale. Establishes 90 percent of the price of the commodity as the rate for loans to producers of wheat, feed grain, or upland cotton whenever the Secretary estimates that the carryover stocks of such commodities will fall below specified levels. Requires an export license for carryover stocks the supply of which is determined to be critically low. Establishes the support price of milk at not less than 90 percent of the parity price therefor, and states that this level shall be effective through March 31, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Extends the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs established by S. Res. 281, Ninetieth Congress, through February 19, 1976. Authorizes the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, in studying matters pertaining to the lack of food, medical assistance, and other related necessities of life and health, from March 1, 1975, through February 28, 1976, in its discretion: (1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate, (2) to employ personnel, (3) to subpena witnesses and documents, (4) with the prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable basis the services of personnel, information, and facilities of any such department or agency, (5) to procure the temporary services (not in excess of one year) or intermittent services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof, (6) to interview employees of the Federal, State, and local governments and other individuals, and (7) to take depositions and other testimony. Provides that the minority shall receive fair consideration in the appointment of staff personnel pursuant to this resolution. Limits the expenses of the committee under this resolution to $485,000.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Medical Device Amendments - Title I: Preliminary Classification of Medical Devices - Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall appoint and organize separate classification panels of experts, qualified by scientific training and experience, to review and classify devices intended for human use into appropriate categories based on the safety and effectiveness of such devices. Requires each panel to reveiw all devices intended for human use within its respective scientific field for purposes of appropriate classification and to submit within one year of its appointment a report of its findings and conclusions to the Secretary. Requires that to the maximum extent practical the panel or panels shall provide an opportunity for any interested person to submit data and views on the classification of a device (or type or class of device). States the criteria to be used by the panels in determining their recommendations for the classification of devices. Title II: Authority to establish Performance Standards - Provides that whenever in the judgment of the Secretary such action is appropriate to assure effectiveness or to reduce or eliminate unreasonable risk of illness or injury associated with exposure to or use of a device (including the need for uniformity and compatibility with systems or environments in which it is intended to be used) and for which other means may not be appropriate to reduce or eliminate such risk of illness or injury he shall promulgate for any device, or type or class of device, for which a performance standard has been determined to be appropriate, a performance standard relating to safety and effectiveness. Provides for periodic evaluation of the adequacy of standards. Directs the Secretary to consult with other Federal agencies and organizations. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a notice that proceedings have been initiated to promulgate a device standard. Specifies the content of such notification. Directs the Secretary to accept one or more offers to develop a proposed standard and to publish in the Federal Register names and addresses of persons whose offers are accepted and the terms of such offers. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations governing development of proposed standards. Sets forth alternatives to the development of standards, including: (1) the use of existing standards; and (2) the development of standards by the Secretary. Provides procedures for the promulgation, amendment, or revocation of performance standards. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint independent advisory committees, to which could be referred any matters involving a proposed device standard, prior to or after its publication in the Federal Register. Prescribes the composition of such committees. Requires that every manufacturer of a device shall assure the Secretary, at such times and in such manner and form as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe, that testing methods prescribed by the performance standards show the device to comply therewith, or that the device was manufactured under a program of guality control which is in accord with current good manufacturing practice designed to assure such compliance. Title III: Scientific Review of Certain Medical Devices - States that the Secretary may declare that a device (or type or class of device) for which scientific review has been determined to be appropriate shall be subject to scientific review with respect to any particular use of intended use thereof if, after consultation with the appropriate panel or panels, he finds that: (1) such review is appropriate to assure effectiveness or is appropriate to reduce or eliminate unreasonable risk of illness or injury associated with exposure to or use of a device and (2) other means available to the Secretary may not be appropriate to reduce or eliminate such risk of illness or injury. Provides that the Secretary may declare that a device (or type or class of device shall be subject to scientific review under this section with respect to any particular use of intended use thereof if he: determines that scientific reveiw for any device is appropriate to protect the public health and safety and (2) finds that other means available to the Secretary may not be appropriate to reduce or iliminate such risk of illness or injury. Requires the declaration to be by regulation. Permits the promulgation of such regulation to be appealed to the courts within thirty days after publication in the Federal Register. Provides that for the purpose of reviewing plans and product development the Secretary shall utilize the standing advisory panels. Provides for the Scientific reveiw of a device which has been declared subject to such reveiw. Sets forth the necessary contents of an application for scientific review. Permits the applicant to obtain judicial review of a final order of the Secretary denying or withdrawing approval of an application or revoking an exemption. Provides for exemptions from the requirement of approval of an application in specified circumstances. Title IV: Notification of Defective Devices; Repair or Replacement - Requires every person who acquires information which reasonably supports the conclusion that a device intended for human use which has been produced, assembled, distributed, or imported by him (1) contains a defect which could create a substantial risk to the public health or safety, or (2) on or after the effective date of an applicable performance standard fails to comply with such standard, to immediately notify the Secretary of such defect or failure to comply if such device has left the control of the manufacturer. Title V: Requirement of Good Manufacturing Practice - Requires that a device, and the methods used in its manufacture, must conform to good manufacturing practice. Title VI: Records and Reports; Inspection and Registration of Establishments; Official Names - Requires persons manufacturing, processing, repacking, labeling, or distributing a device subject to a standard which is in effect, or with respect to which there is in effect an approval of an application for scientific review, to maintain records and to make reports to the Secretary on clinical experience and other data relating to safety or effectiveness of such device, or possibility of adulteration or misbranding. Title VII: General Provisions - Establishes an Advisory Council on Devices to advise the Secretary on policy matters relating to carrying out provisions of the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to plan, conduct, coordinate, and support research and education dealing with the safety and effectiveness of medical devices and into the causes and prevention of injuries or other health impairments associated with exposure to or use of such devices. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed as preventing the Federal Government or the government of any State or political subdivision thereof from establishhing stricter safety requirements than the otherwise applicable Federal requirements. Permits the Secretary to disclose information relating to trade secrets to a contractor in furtherance of provisions of the Act, subject to the contractor's observance of such security precautions as are prescribed in regulations. Defines the term "device" to mean instruments, apparatus, implements, machines, contrivances, implants, in vitro reagents, or similar articles, including their components, parts and accessories which are: (1) recognized in the official U.S. Pharmacopeia or National Formulary, or any supplement to them, or (2) intended for use in diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals, or (3) intended to affect any structure or any function of the body of man or other animals, and (4) not achieving any of their principal purposes through chemical action within or on the body of man or other animals and which are not dependent upon being metabolized for achievement of their principal purposes. Defines the term "prescription device". Makes various technical amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make existing law applicable to devices.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Jury Fee Act - Provides that grand and petit jurors in U. S. district courts shall receive a fee a day of: $25 (now $20), or $30 for specified service, or the equivalent of wages, but never more than $100, for attendanace at the place of trial or hearing. Allows payment of an additional fee of $5 a day on specified circumstances. Sets forth procedures for allowance for payments to jurors outside the contiguous States of the United States. Instructs the Director of the Administrative Office of the U. S. Courts to establish from time to time a fixed subsistence allowance covering meals and lodging.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Full Employment and Job Development Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to provide for the implementation of a full employment policy. Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government a Federal Full Employment Board, to consist of five members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the Board to perform specified functions, including the following: (1) recommend to the President and the Congress by January 20 of each year (beginning January 20, 1976) a program to achieve full employment in each fiscal year and alternative means of attaining that objective; (2) review and make recommendations with respect to monetary, fiscal, income, and other governmental policies in terms of the impact of such policies upon achieving full employment; (3) review and make recommendations with respect to decisions made by public and private employers and establish appropriate procedures for the collection of information, from such employers, necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the powers and authority of the Board. Directs the Board to transmit annually to the Congress a report, to be known as the Full Employment Report, setting forth a program to achieve full employment for the following fiscal year, and alternative means of attaining that objective, as required under the provisions of this Act, together with a statement of the Board's activities for the following fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1975, and for each of the two succeeding fiscal years for the activities of the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Reduces the rate of interest on emergency loans made under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to 3 percent. Authorizes additional funds not exceeding $1,000,000 for the current fiscal year to expedite the processing of January, 1975 blizzard in the midWestern part of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Social Security Administration Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to strengthen the fiscal and administrative structure of the contributory social security programs. Title I: Social Security Administration - Establishes, as an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the Government, a Social Security Administration headed by a Board appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act, and to discharge the duties and responsibilities imposed on the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in connection with the administration of the program established by title IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. States that the Administration shall also have the duty of studying and making recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance, and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Provides for the appointment of an Executive Director and a General Counsel of the Administration. Makes the Administration responsible for administering the old age, survivors, and disability insurance program, medicare, supplemental security income, and the black lung benefit program under the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Prohibits the mailing of announcements with Social Security and SSI checks which make reference by name, title, or signature to any officer of the United States. Transfers to the Social Security Administration: (1) all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, with respect to the administration of programs and activities the administration of which is vested in such Administration, by reason of this Act; and (2) all personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records, which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines to be employed, held, or used by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare primarily in connection with the functions, activities, and programs which, by reason of this Act are vested in or become the responsibility of the Administration. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security. Title II: Miscellaneous and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Social Security Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the Budget and Accounting Act, and the Executive Schedules of the United States Code.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Natural Gas Agricultural Priority Act - Provides, under the Natural Gas Act, a priority system for specified agricultural uses of natural gas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to prohibit any interruption or curtailment of natural gas and take such other steps as are necessary to assure as soon as possible the availability in interstate commerce of sufficient quantities of natural gas for use as a raw material feedstock or process fuel in the production of fertilizer, animal feed grade chemicals, essential agricultural chemicals, and for use in agricultural crop drying. Defines "sufficient quantities of natural gas" for purposes of this Act. Provides that the rule implemented by the Commission shall also apply with respect to the availability of natural gas sold in intrastate commerce in any State which has not, within ninety days, adopted a rule to implement the purposes of the first provision of this Act. Directs the Commission to, by rule, prohibit boiler fuel use of natural gas and propane in interstate and intrastate commerce not contracted for prior to the date of enactment of this Act by users other than residential or small commercial users unless, upon petition by a user, the Commission determines that enumerated criteria are met.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Emergency Natural Gas Act - Directs the Federal Power Commission to grant relief from any existing natural gas allocation plan to producers of fertilizer and agricultural chemicals which require natural gas for their production, when necessary to prevent the impairment of such production. Exempts from this provision such amounts of natural gas as are required by residential and small commercial users. Provides that this Act shall expire on December 31, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Provides that no new tariff, fee or other charge, no increase in existing tariffs, fees or other charges, and no new quota or other limitation on imports of crude oil or petroleum products other than those in effect on January 1, 1975, may be imposed unless: (1) such action is specifically authorized by law enacted after the date of enactment of this joint resolution; or (2) the specific action proposed to be taken is submitted to both Houses of the Congress. States that if such action is disapproved by either House within the thirty-day review period, no officer or agency shall have authority to take any action inconsistent with the provisions of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1975
Provides that the price of milk shall be supported at not less than 90 percent of the parity price for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending March 31, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Consumer Protection Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to promote protection of consumers with respect to specified areas, including: (1) the safety, quality, purity, potency, healthfulness, durability, performance, repairability, effectiveness, dependability, availability, and cost of any real or personal property or tangible or intangible goods, services, or credit; and (2) the preservation of consumer choice and a competitive market. Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the Agency for Consumer Advocacy. Directs the Administrator of the Agency to prepare and submit an annual report simultaneously to the Congress and the President, not later than April 1 of each year. Specifies the content of such report, including the Agency's activities and court actions affecting the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to advise the Congress and the President on matters affecting the interests of consumers and to protect and promote the interests of the people of the United States as consumers of goods and services. Enumerates the functions of the Administrator, including the following: (1) to represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts; (2) to conduct and support research, studies, and testing; (3) to submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; and (4) to publish material developed in carrying out this Act to inform consumers of matters of interest to them. States that whenever the Administrator determines that the result of any Federal agency proceeding may substantially affect an interest of consumers, he may as of right intervene as a party or otherwise participate for the purpose of representing an interest of consumers. Provides that whenever the Administrator receives any complaint which discloses: (1) an apparent violation of law relating to an interest of consumers; or (2) a commercial, trade, or other practice which is detrimental to an interest of consumers; he shall transmit such complaint to any Federal, State, or local agency which has the authority to enforce any relevant law or to take appropriate action. Directs the Administrator to maintain a public document room containing, for public inspection and copying, an up-to-date listing of all consumer complaints of any significance which the Agency has received, as arranged in meaningful and useful categories, together with annotations of actions taken in response thereto. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct studies, and to obtain data and information from persons engaged in a trade, business, or industry which substantially affects interstate commerce and whose activities he determines may substantially affect an interest of consumers. Stipulates that the Administrator shall not have the power to require the production or disclosure of any data or other information under this Act from any small business. Provides that, upon written request by the Administrator, each Federal agency is directed to furnish access to all documents which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Sets forth limitations on the disclosure of any information obtained pursuant to any authority conferred by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that small business enterprises should have their varied needs considered by all levels of government in the implementation of the procedures provided for throughout this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act not to exceed $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, not to exceed $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and not to exceed $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1978. Provides for the transfer of employees and property of the Consumer Product Information Coordinating Center in the General Services Administration to the Agency. Requires Federal agencies to issue standards governing public participation in agency proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
States that the Senate of the United States: (1) commends the agreement in principle reached at Vladivostok on November 24, 1974; (2) expresses its firm belief that this agreement in principle must lead to further mutual arms limitations and reductions; and (3) expresses its understanding that the Vladivostok agreement establishes limits within which the United States and the Soviet Union may deploy strategic forces, but than any deployment of United States strategic nuclear weapons, up to the limits established by the Vladivostok agreement, should be based solely upon the actual needs of United States security. Expresses the advice of the Senate that the President should make every possible effort: (1) to complete the negotiations resulting from the Vladivostok agreement in principle; and (2) in addition, to reach further specified agreements regarding nuclear arms limitations. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Vladivostok agreement be submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent in accordance with the treaty provisions of the U.S. Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Establishes in the Congress a Joint Committee on the Continuing Study of the Need to Reorganize the Departments and Agencies Engaging in Surveillance. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. States that it shall be the function of the joint committee: (1) to make a continuing study of the need to reorganize the departments and agencies of the United States engaged in the investigation or surveillance of individuals, (2) to make a continuing study of the intergovermental relationship between the United States and the States insofar as that relationship involves the area of investigation or surveillance of individuals; and (3) to file reports at least annually, and at such other times as the joint committee deems appropriate, with the Senate and the House of Representatives, containing its findings and recommendations with respect to the matters under study by the joint committee. Requires that the joint committee shall, at least annually, receive the testimony under oath, of a representative of every department, agency, instrumentality, or other entity of the Federal Government, which engages in investigations or surveillance of individuals. States that such testimony shall relate to: (1) the full scope and nature of the respective department's agency's instrumentality's, or other entity's investigations or surveillance of individuals; and (2) the criteria, standards, guidelines, or other general basis utilized by each such department, agency, instrumentality, or other entity in determining whether or not investigative or surveillance activities should be initiated, carried out, or maintained. Sets forth the powers of the Committee. Specifies that the provisions of this Act shall not in any way limit or otherwise interfere with the jurisdiction or powers of any committee of the Senate, or the House of Representatives, or of Congress to request or require testimony or the submission of information from any representative of any department, agency, instrumentality, or other entity of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Federal Medical Malpractice Insurance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to offer to any insurer or pool, reinsurance against liability for damages resulting from acts of medical malpractice. States that, in carrying out the medical malpractice reinsurance program authorized by this Act, the Secretary shall arrange for: (1) appropriate financial participation and risk sharing in the reinsurance program by insurance companies or other insurers; and (2) other appropriate participation on other than a risk-sharing basis by insurance companies or other insurers, insurance agents and brokers, and insurance adjustment organizations. Directs the Secretary to make reinsurance available in such amounts as he determines to be necessary, based upon acturial studies, but to make available initially such insurance in amounts in excess of $25,000. Provides that in establishing the rates for coverages, the Secretary shall consult with State insurance authorities and other knowledgeable persons and is authorized to take into consideration the nature and degree of the risks involved, the extent of anticipated losses and other enumerated factors. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on his operations and activities under this Act together with such recommendations as may be appropriate. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a National Medical Malpractice Reinsurance Development Fund: (1) to make such payments as may be required under reinsurance or direct insurance contacts under this Act; (2) to pay administrative expenses to carry out the purposes of this Act; and (3) to repay to the Secretary of the Treasury such sums as may be borrowed from him for purposes of programs under this Act. Establishes a Federal Medical Malpractice Reinsurance Advisory Board consisting of nineteen members appointed by the Secretary. Directs the Board to review general policies and advise the Secretary and perform such other functions as he may require. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Requires, under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Congressional Office of the Budget to prepare fiscal notes for bills and joint resolutions. States that such fiscal notes shall contain an estimate of the costs which would be incurred, or the savings which would be realized in carrying out such bill, resolution, or amendment in the fiscal year in which it is to become effective and in the four fiscal years following such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Government in the Sunshine Act - Title I: Congressional Procedures - Requires each meeting of each standing, select, or special committee or subcommittee of the Senate and House of Representatives, including meetings to conduct hearings, to be open to the public. Provides that a portion or portions of such meetings may be closed to the public if the committee or subcommittee determines by vote of a majority of a quorum of the members present that the matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken: (1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign policy of the United States; (2) will relate solely to matters of committee staff personnel or internal staff management; or (3) will tend to charge with crime or misconduct, or to disgrace any individual, or will represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy of any individual (unless it relates to any government officer or employee with respect to his official duties or employment); (4) will disclose information pertaining to any investigation conducted for law enforcement purposes, with specified limitations; or (5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a given person. Directs each standing, select, or special committee or subcommittee of the Senate and House of Representatives to make a public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of each meeting at least one week before such meeting unless the committee or subcommittee determines by a vote of the majority of a quorum that committee business requires that such meeting be called at an earlier date, in which case the committee shall make public announcement of the date, place and subject matter of such meeting at the earliest practicable opportunity. Provides that a complete transcript shall be made of each meeting of each standing, select, or special committee or subcommittee. Provides that a copy of each such transcript shall be made available for public inspection within seven days and additional copies shall be furnished to any person at the actual cost of duplication. Provides that all the aforegoing requirements and exceptions applicable to the meetings of the committees and subcommittees of the House and Senate shall also be applicable to each meeting of a committee of conference. Establishes procedures to review and reverse any committee and subcommittee vote to close a meeting to the public or to delete from the publicly available copy a portion of a meeting transcript. Title II: Agency Procedures - Requires all meetings of any Federal agency to be open to the public unless a majority of the entire membership of an agency determines the meeting: (1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign policy of the United States; (2) will relate solely to individual agency personnel or to internal agency office management and administration or financial auditing; (3) will tend to charge with crime or misconduct, or to disgrace, any person, or will represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy of any individual (unless it relates to any government officer or employee with respect to his official duties or employment); (4) will disclose information pertaining to any investigation conducted for law enforcement purposes, with specified limitations; or (5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a given person. Directs each agency to make public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of each meeting (whether open or closed to the public) at least one week before each meeting unless the agency determines by a vote of the majority of its members that agency business requires that such meetings be called at an earlier date, in which case the agency shall make public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of such meeting at the earliest practicable opportunity. Provides that a complete transcript, including a list of all persons attending and their affilations, shall be made of each meeting of each agency (whether open or closed to the public). Provides that a copy of each such meeting shall be made available to the public for inspection, and additional copies of any transcript shall be furnished to any person at the actual cost of duplication. Requires each agency to promulgate regulations to implement the requirements of this title. States that any citizen or person resident in the United States may bring a proceeding in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit: (1) to require an agency to promulgate such regulations if such agency has not done so within the time period specified herein; or (2) to set aside agency regulations that are not in accord with the requirements of this title and to require the promulgation of regulations that are in accord with such requirements. Gives the district courts of the United States jurisdiction to enforce the requirements of this title by declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, or otherwise. Provides that such actions shall be brought in the district wherein the plaintiff resides, or has his principal place of business, or where the agency in question has its headquarters. Sets forth provisions governing ex parte communications in agency proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Title I: Nurse Training Act - Nurse Training Act - Provides for appropriations authorizations in the areas of construction assistance under the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes assistance under such Act in the expanding of the capacities of nursing schools to provide graduate training. Extends the Financial Distress Grant Program under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to assist public or nonprofit private schools of nursing which are in serious financial straits to meet operational costs required to maintain quality educational programs or which have special need for financial assistance to meet accreditation requirements. Provides that any such grant may be made upon such terms as the Secretary determines to be reasonable and necessary, including requirements that the school agree: (1) to disclose any financial information or data deemed by the Secretary to be necessary to determine the sources or causes of that school's financial distress; (2) to conduct a comprehensive cost analysis study in cooperation with the Secretary; and (3) to carry out appropriate operational and financial reforms on the basis of information obtained in the course of the comprehensive cost analysis study or on the basis of other relevant information. Requires the Secretary to consult with the National Advisory Council on Nurse Training in acting upon applications for grants under this title. Authorizes appropriation for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to meet the costs of advanced nurse training programs. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Extends the Student Loan Program under the Act. Directs the Secretary to determine on a continuing basis: (1) the supply of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses with advanced training or graduate degrees, as well as other nursing personnel; (2) their distribution; and (3) the current and future requirements for such nurses. Title II: Health Revenue Sharing and Health Services: - Special Health Revenue Sharing Act - Health Revenue Sharing and Health Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants under the Public Health Service Act to State health and mental health authorities to assit in meeting the costs of providing comprehensive public health services. Family Planning and Population Research Act - Extends the appropriations authorizations for the Family Planning Programs under the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes grants for research in the biomedical, contraceptive development, behavioral, and program implementation fields related to family planning and population. Authorizes grants for planning community mental health center programs. Authorizes financial distress grants for the operation of community mental health centers. Directs the Secretary to establish within the National Institute of Mental Health a National Center for the Prevention and Control of Rape. Directs the Secretary to provide for a continuing study and investigation of: (1) the effectiveness of existing Federal, State, and local laws dealing with rape; (2) the relationship, if any, between traditional legal and social attitudes toward sexual roles, the act of rape, and the formulation of laws dealing with rape; (3) the treatment of the victims of rape by law enforcement agencies, hospitals or other medical institutions, prosecutors, and the courts; and (4) the causes of rape. Directs the Secretary to assist community mental health centers and other entities in conducting research and demonstration projects concerning the control and prevention of rape. Community Mental Health Centers Act - Requires the Secretary to formulate a five-year plan for the extension of mental health services. Revises provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to the establishment of migrant health centers, providing highest priority for assistance in areas where the largest migratory worker populations reside. Enumerates the criteria for applications for migrant health center grants and authorizes appropriations for such grants. Defines the term "community health center" as used in this title. States that such term means an entity which, either through its staff and supporting resources or through contracts or cooperative arrangements with other public or private entities, provides: (1) primary health services; (2) as may be appropriate for particular centers, supplemental health services necessary for the adequate support of primary health services; (3) referral to providers of supplemental health services and payment, as appropriate and feasible, for their provision of such services; (4) as may be appropriate for particular centers, environmental health services, and (5) information on the availability and proper use of health services. Provides for grants for projects to plan and develop community health centers which will serve medically underserved populations and authorizes appropriations for such grants. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Committee on Mental Health and Illness of the Elderly to make a study of and recommendations respecting: (1) the future needs for mental health facilities, manpower, research, and training to meet the mental health care needs of elderly persons, (2) the appropriate care of elderly persons who are in mental institutions or who have been discharged from such institutions, and (3) proposals for implementing the recommendations of the 1971 White House Conference on Aging respecting the mental health of the elderly. Directs the Secretary to establish a temporary commission to be known as the Commission for the Control of Epilepsy and Its Consequences. Enumerates the duties of the Commission including to: (1) make a comprehensive study of the state of the art of medical and social management of epilepsy in the United States; and (2) investigate and make recommendations concerning the proper roles of Federal and State Governments and national and local public and private agencies in research, prevention, identification, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy. Directs the Secretary to establish a temporary commission to be known as the Commission for the Control of Huntington's Disease and Its Consequences. Makes it the duty of the Commission to: (1) make a comprehensive study of the state of the art of medical and social management of Huntington's disease in the United States; (2) investigate and make recommendations concerning the proper roles of Federal and State Governments and national and local public and private agencies in research, prevention, identification, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons with Huntington's disease; (3) develop a comprehensive national plan for the control of Huntington's disease and its consequences based on the most thorough, complete, and accurate data and information available on the disorder; and (4) transmit to the President and the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare of the Senate and the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of the House of Representatives, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act a report detailing the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with recommendations for legislation and appropriations, as it deems advisable. Provides for the establishment of comprehensive hemophilia diagnostic and treatment centers and blood-separation centers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. States the purposes of this Act, including to establish a nationwide program to prevent the adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a director appointed by the President. States that such office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriation to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1975, $300,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for 5 years, to assist the States in carrying on the work or a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center agency at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar for dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for 6 years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in research institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research to advise him on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.25 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or 10 percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mined lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Permits the Secretary to acquire land by condemnation for reclamation. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer it to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to implement within 135 days of enactment, a Federal program of enforcement of specified standards to remain in effect until State programs are approved. Directs publication within 180 days of enactment of regulations covering surface coal mining and reclamation, setting standards for State programs. States that such regulations must meet approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. Requires States, within 18 months of enactment, to submit programs for carrying out this Act, such programs to include a State regulatory authority capable of regulating surface coal mining, state laws providing for sanctions for violations of regulations, and a permit system for surface coal mining regulation. Demands that such State programs meet the approval of the EPA Administrator. Subjects State programs to approval of Secretary of Interior within 6 months. Requires implementation of a Federal program of surface coal mining regulation where States fail in such implementation. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than this Act. Requires, 30 months after enactment, that no surface coal mining shall take place except where a permit, good for 5 years, has been issued. States that permit applications must demonstrate ability and intent to comply with this Act and assurance that reclamation can be achieved. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. States that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage, and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Sets general performance standards for environmental protection in surface coal mining which permittees under this Act must meet. Imposes additional standards for steep-slope surface mining. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining, including specified requirements. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides for requirement of record keeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Requires surprise inspections by regulatory agencies not less than once a month. Requires civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Provides that when an operator completes the backfilling, regrading, and drainage control of a bonded area, he may request a release of 60 percent of the bond. Provides that the remaining amount may be returned upon completion of all reclamation. Allows persons with a legal interest to file objections to release of bond, and for public hearings to follow. Permits any person to bring a civil suit against any person, including the United States, alleged to be in violation of this Act. Allows the court to award costs of litigation to parties in suits brought under this Act. Permits the Secretary to intervene in actions under this Act. Allows, where State regulatory authorities do not exist or fail to act, for Federal enforcement of this Act and of permit conditions. Permits issuance of an order to cease mining and reclamation. Provides for the Attorney General to institute civil suit for a restraining order or injunction to enforce this Act or regulations under it. Directs States to designate as unsuitable for surface coal mining those areas where reclamation is impossible or where land is fragile or of historical value. Prohibits existing mining operations from being declared unsuitable. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface mining and reclamation operations on Federal land. Requires such program to, at least, adopt all requirements of this Act. Demands separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet speicified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the President to minimize the adverse impact upon employment of any actions taken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to the States to provide cash benefits to individuals who have lost their jobs as a direct result of this Act and who are not eligible for unemployment assistance or who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act, as follows: (1) $10,000,000 for various contract authority immediately and for the next two fiscal years; (2) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $20,000,000 for fiscal 1976 and 1977, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; (3) for research and demonstration projects, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each fiscal year thereafter, $250,000 for the Alaskan surface coal mine study; and (4) $500,000 for the study of surface mining of other minerals. Requires the written consent of the owner of the surface rights before the Secretary shall lease Federally-owned mineral rights, and requires compensation to be paid by the lessee to the surface owner.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that real property which is farmland, woodland, or open land and forms part of an estate may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value as farmland, woodland, or open land (rather than at its fair market value). Provides that real property which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value for its existing use. Provides for the revocation of such lower valuation and recapture of unpaid tax with interest upon the conversion, sale, or rezoning of such property for another use.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the direct popular election of the President and Vice President. Provides that each voter shall cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. States that the persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President having the greatest number of votes shall be elected President and Vice President, if such number be at least 40 percent of the total number of votes cast. Stipulates that if, after such election, none of the persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President is elected, the Congress shall assemble in special session and choose immediately, from the two pairs of persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President who received the highest numbers of votes cast in the election, one such pair by ballot. States that the Congress may by law provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice-President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides that all meetings of Senate committees shall be open to the public, unless the members of such committee determine by majority vote that the matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken involve specified matters, including the following: (1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign relations of the United States; (2) will relate solely to matters of committee staff personnel or internal staff management or procedure; or (3) will tend to charge an individual with crime or misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of an individual, or otherwise to expose an individual to public contempt or obloquy, or will represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides under the Standing Rules of the Senate, that if at any time a motion signed by sixteen Senators, to bring to a close the debate upon any measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, is presented to the Senate, the Presiding Officer shall at once state the motion to the Senate, and one hour after the Senate meets on the following calendar day but one, he shall lay the motion before the Senate and direct that the Secretary call the roll, and upon the ascertainment that a quorum is present, the Presiding Officer shall, without debate, submit to the Senate by a yea-and-nay vote the question of whether it is the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close. States that if that question be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators present and voting, then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 1974
Prohibits the breeding, training, and interstate shipment of dogs intended to be used in dogfights for the purposes of sport, wagering or entertainment. Prohibits the manufacture, sale or movement of equipment to be used in shows involving dogfights, and the providing of facilities for such shows. Forbids the use of the Postal Service, telephone, telegraph, radio, and television for the purpose of promoting such shows. Provides a fine of not more than $25,000, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, and forfeiture of dogs and equipment involved, for violation of this Act. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 48).
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1974
States that the Senate of the United States: (1) expresses its support for the broad purposes of the agreement in principle reached at Vladivostok on November 24, 1974, as a step forward both in furthering arms control and improving the relations between the United States and the Soviet Union; and (2) expresses its firm belief that this agreement in principle must lead to further arms limitations and reductions and that both the United States and the Soviet Union should make every effort to halt the continuing competition in strategic arms by excercising restraint in the deployment of additional nuclear weapons systems beyond current levels. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should make every possible effort to negotiate further nuclear arms limitation and reduction measures as part of the final accord carrying out the Vladivostok agreement. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the specific accord concluded on the basis of the Vladivostok agreement between the President of the United States and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics should be in the form of a treaty and submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1974
Natural Gas Agricultural Priority Act - Provides, under the Natural Gas Act, a priority system for specified agricultural uses of natural gas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to prohibit any interruption or curtailment of natural gas and take such other steps as are necessary to assure as soon as possible the availability in interstate commerce of sufficient quantities of natural gas for use as a raw material feedstock or process fuel in the production of fertilizer, animal feed grade chemicals, essential agricultural chemicals, and for use in agricultural crop drying. Defines "sufficient quantities of natural gas" for purposes of this Act. Provides that the rule implemented by the Commission shall also apply with respect to the availability of natural gas sold in intrastate commerce in any State which has not, within ninety days, adopted a rule to implement the purposes of the first provision of this Act. Directs the Commission to, by rule, prohibit boiler fuel use of natural gas and propane in interstate and intrastate commerce not contracted for prior to the date of enactment of this Act by users other than residential or small commercial users unless, upon petition by a user, the Commission determines that enumerated criteria are met.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1974
Provides that the price of milk shall be supported at not less than 90 percent of the parity price for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending March 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1974
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act - Provides that, for the purposes of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, there is a State "emergency on" indicator for a week if there is a State or National "emergency on" indicator for such a week. Provides, for the same purposes, that there is a State "emergency off" indicator for a week if there is both a State and National "emergency off" indicator for such week. States that, with respect to the period which begins January 1, 1975, no emergency compensation shall be payable after a specified time pursuant to the provisions of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 relating to the payment of extended compensation. Changes the rate of insured unemployment definitive of a national "on" indicator from 4.5 to 4 percent for all States. Provides that there shall be paid to the States 100 percent of the sharable extended compensation and sharable regular compensation paid to individuals under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1974
Tax Reform and Relief Act - Title I: Tax Relief for Low-and Middle-Income Taxpayers - States that at the election of the taxpayer, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1974, there shall be allowed, as a credit, an amount equal to $175 multiplied by the number of exemptions to which the taxpayer is entitled under section 151 of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires that such credit shall not exceed the tax imposed for the taxable year. Sets forth a special rule for exemptions for the taxable year 1974. Provides that there shall be allowed to a taxpayer who is an eligible individual as a credit an amount equal to a specified percentage of the social security taxes imposed on him and his employer with respect to wages received by the taxpayer during that year. States that the amount of the credit allowable to a taxpayer shall not exceed an amount equal to 10 percent of so much of his wages as does not exceed $4,000 received by that individual during that year with respect to employment, and that the amount of the credit shall be reduced by one-fourth of the amount by which a taxpayer's income exceeds $4,000. Provides that a taxpayer may receive an advance refund of the credit allowable to him not more frequently than quarterly by filing an election for such refund with the Secretary. States that if the taxpayer elects to base his claim for refund on social security taxes imposed on him, his spouse, and their employers, the election shall be a joint election signed by the taxpayer and his spouse. Title II: Amendments to Increase Revenues - Provides for the termination of special tax treatment for a Domestic International Sales Corporation (DISC). Imposes an excise tax on the windfall profits from domestic crude oil removed from the premises on every person entitled to a deduction for depletion with respect to the crude oil. States that each person liable for such tax shall be allowed, as a credit against such tax, an amount equal to such person's plowback investment for such taxable period. Defines "windfall profit" as the excess of the removal price over the adjusted base price. Sets forth provisions and regulations governing the imposition and collection of the windfall profits tax on crude oil. Provides, for a gradual phaseout of the percentage depletion allowance for domestic oil and natural gas production. Specifies special rules governing the taxation of foreign oil and gas income. Title III: Increases Incentive for Expanded Investment - Provides for an increase in the investment tax credit for expanded investment. Defines "expanded investment" as the amount by which the qualified investment of the taxpayer for such year exceeds the average amount of qualified investment of the taxpayer per taxable year, as determined on the 3 most recent previous taxable years, determined without regard to investment credit carryovers and carrybacks.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1974
Headstart, Economic Opportunity, and Community Partnership Act. Provides that the Headstart and Follow Through programs shall be administered in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; and that there shall be established within the Office of Child Development a division of migrant programs and a division of Indian programs with sums of $10,000,000 authorized to be appropriated annually for the administration of each such division. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide financial assistance for Headstart programs to eligible agencies which provide comprehensive health, educational, and other social services and which provide for the direct participation of parents. Allots funds to States on the basis of relative numbers of public assistance recipients, unemployed persons, and children from families below the poverty line. Limits the Federal share to 80 percent of approved costs. Provides that services must be in addition to comparable available Federal services. Provides that 10 percent of the total number of enrollment opportunities in Headstart programs in the Nation must be available for handicapped children. Authorizes the Secretary to designate as Headstart agencies any public and private agencies which are determined by the Secretary to be capable of meeting the purposes of this Act. Provides for parental and community involvement in the conduct of programs, and for technical assistance and training. Provides for submission of program plans to Governors prior to approval and, if disapproved, for reconsideration by the Secretary. Establishes requirements for the standards of organization, management, and administration which will insure the purposes of Headstart programs. Limits program administration and development costs to 15 percent of total program costs. Provides that the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe eligibility for participation in Headstart programs. Prohibits the Secretary from imposing any fees for participation in Headstart. Provides for notice and opportunity for appeals by agencies whose request for funding has been denied; and a full and fair hearing prior to the termination of funding. Requires the maintenance of adequate financial records by recipients of financial assistance and their accessibility by Government auditors. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to public or private agencies for research, demonstration, and pilot projects; and for the Secretary to establish an overall plan for their approval. Requires that the Secretary provide for the continuing evaluation of Headstart programs, publish standards of evaluation, and authorizes him to require Headstart agencies to conduct independent evaluations. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to appropriate agencies, organizations, and educational institutions to carry out Follow Through programs which will serve primarily children from low-income families who were previously enrolled in Headstart and are currently enrolled in kindergarten and primary grades in order to aid in the continued development of these children. Limits the Federal share to 80 percent of approved program costs with a waiver provision. Requires that services provided under Follow Through program supplement, not serve as a substitute for, existing services. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for research, demonstration, and pilot projects, and for program evaluation, and technical assistance and training in furtherance of Follow Through programs under this Act. Provides that recipients of financial assistance under this part shall make maximum employment opportunities available to parents of program participants and to community residents. Provides for adequate notice and fair hearings prior to suspension of grants. Provides that wages and salaries of laborers and mechanics employed in federally assisted projects related to the purposes of this Act shall be in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act. Prohibits the involvement of Headstart programs in partisan or nonpartisan political activities and voter registration. Provides for advance funding to afford adequate notice of funding available with respect to Headstart and Follow Through programs. Provides that the Secretary shall provide special assistance to the needs of persons of limited English-speaking ability by providing bilingual Headstart and Follow Through programs. Establishes within the Community Services Administration a National Office for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers; and requires that, in providing financial assistance under title III-B, of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (relating to the coordination of programs and projects under such Act), priority be given to existing providers of services. Native American Economic Opportunity Programs Act - Provides that the purpose of this new title is to promote the goal of enabling American Indians, Hawaiian Natives, and Alaskan Natives to become fully self-sufficient. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity to provide financial assistance to public and nonprofit private agencies for projects pertaining to the purposes of this title, equal to 80 percent of the cost of an assisted project, unless a higher percentage is authorized by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training in connection with the provision of financial assistance under this title. Authorizes the Secretary to support research, demonstration, and pilot projects pertaining to the purposes of this title. Requires that the governing body of an Indian reservation or Alaskan Native village must be given the opportunity to disapprove any self-sufficiency project or research demonstration or pilot project to be carried out pursuant to this Act on the reservation or in the village. Imposes notice and hearing requirements in connection with the suspension or termination of assistance, or the denial of refunding for research, demonstration, and pilot projects under this Act. Requires the Director to provide for the continuing evaluation of projects assisted under this title. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to public and private agencies for the conduct of research, demonstration, and pilot projects to stimulate the better focusing of public and private resources upon the goal of enabling low-income persons to become self-sufficient. Authorizes the Director, in conducting evaluations of such projects, to involve program participants whenever feasible. Provides that nothing in this Act relative to research, demonstration and pilot projects shall be construed to authorize Federal control over the activities of educational institutions. Authorizes such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1975 thru 1977 to carry out this title. Requires the Director, directly or through grants or contracts, to measure and evaluate the impact of all programs authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act and poverty-related programs authorized by other Acts. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to carry out agreements entered into by community action agencies and a public agency or a political subdivision of a State. States that such agreements shall provide for the planning, development, and administration of programs and activities of community action programs provided that the Federal share shall not exceed 80 percent and matching non-Federal funds shall be in cash. Establishes an Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Community Services to encourage community partnership agreements, review and evaluate such agreements, survey public and private resources available for antipoverty efforts, and identify and encourage means of increasing such resources. Provides that, out of any sums allocated for local initiative programs under the Economic Opportunity Act for any fiscal year, the Director may allocate for community partnership agreements under this Act up to 50 percent of any amounts appropriated between $330,000,000 and $450,000,000 . Modifies the formula for allotment of funds to community action programs under the Economic Opportunity Act to refer to the poverty criteria used in the 1970 census. Adds programs known as Emergency Energy Conservation Services, Summer Youth Recreation, and Urban Housing Demonstration Program to the list of those to which the Director may provide financial assistance to carry on local programs for purposes consonant with the objectives of the Economic Opportunity Act. Revises the Senior Opportunities and Services program to authorize counseling, administrative representation, information, and referral services for the elderly. Changes the name of the Youth Recreation and Sports Program to the "National Summer Youth Sports Program". Revises title VII of the Economic Opportunity Act (relating to community economic development) to encourage the development of special self-help and community mobilization programs so as to contribute to the elimination of poverty and the establishment of permanent economic and social benefits. Authorizes the Director to provide funding, subject to specified requirements, to establish special programs of assistance to private locally initiated community development corporations which are directed to the solution of critical problems existing in particular communities or neighborhoods, are of sufficient size, scope and duration to have an appreciable impact in such communities, neighborhoods, and rural areas, and have the prospect of continuing such an impact after termination of financial assistance under this part; and to provide financial and other assistance to start, expand, or locate enterprises close to the area to be served so as to provide employment and ownership opportunities for residents of such areas. States that programs may include economic and business development programs, community development and housing activities, training and employment programs and supportive social services. Provides that such programs are to contribute on an equitable basis between urban and rural areas to the elimination of poverty and the establishment of permanent economic and social benefits in urban and rural areas. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance, including loans, to low-income rural, families to effect a permanent increase in the families' incomes or improvement in living or housing conditions. Provides that such loans will have a maximum maturity of 15 years and will total not more than $3,500. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to local cooperative associations in rural areas for establishing and operating cooperative programs. Establishes conditions for financial assistance including number of low-income members in a cooperative association receiving assistance, provision for adequate technical assistance, and determination that an applicant is fulfilling a need not already met. States that funds under this part shall not be used to substitute funds for related purposes under the Act. Authorizes the Director to make or guarantee loans to community development corporations and families and local cooperatives for business, housing, and community development projects. Specifies the terms and conditions of lending and repayment with respect to such loans. Establishes a Development Loan Fund to carry out the lending and guarantee functions for such loans. Requires the Director to prepare a plan of action for the establishment of a Model Community Economic Development Finance Corporation and to submit such plan of action to the appropriate committees of Congress not later than June 1, 1975. Authorizes the Director to provide technical assistance to community development corporations and both urban and rural cooperatives, and training for employees of community development corporations and employees and members of urban and rural cooperatives. Permits community development corporations to use funds granted for community economic development as private paid-in capital for small business investment company and local development corporation programs of the Small Business Administration. Provides that areas selected for developmental assistance shall be deemed "redevelopment areas" within the meaning of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and shall qualify for assistance under specified provisions of such Act. Provides that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall assure that community corporations qualify as sponsors under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 and the National Housing Act of 1949; that land for housing and business location is available under the Housing Act of 1949; and that funds are available under the Housing Act of 1954. Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture or the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration shall take steps to insure that community development corporations and local cooperative associations qualify for and receive assistance under the Farmers Home Administration and the Rural Development Act of 1962. Provides that the Director shall take steps to encourage State and local governments to provide assistance to community development corporations and local cooperative associations. Requires that the Director shall conduct research to suggest new programs and policies to achieve the purposes of this part. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance to public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations for planning of community economic development programs and cooperative programs under this Act. Provides for the establishment of a Community Economic Development Resources Committee to advise the Director on the administration of this title and to develop plans and procedures for cooperative efforts of Federal agencies required to provide assistance for supportive programs and activities under this Act. Provides for the establishment of a National Commission on Community Economic Development to conduct a study which shall consider an appropriate administrative agency for the carrying out of community economic development programs in the future. States that the Commission shall submit a final report to the President and to the Congress on the results of its study, not later than June 30, 1975. Establishes within the executive branch a Community Services Administration, which shall be the successor authority to the Office of Economic Opportunity effective October 1, 1975, or in the alternative that the Office of Economic Opportunity will become an independent agency within the executive branch on that date. Revises the poverty line for the purposes of the Economic Opportunity Act, to reflect the full percentage change in the Consumer Price Index over an annual or other interval. Provides that, in applying the poverty line to families, the family unit shall not be defined so as to include income earned by individuals who are eighteen years of age or older other than the parents. States that for purposes of this Act, disadvantaged persons include those who suffer in the labor market because of their limited speaking, reading, and writing abilities in the English language. Extends the authority to carry out programs under the Economic Opportunity Act for three additional years, through fiscal year 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1975 through 1978 for carrying out the Economic Opportunity Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the Headstart, Follow Through, Native Americans Economic Development, and Community Economic Development programs in such amounts as are necessary to carry out the purposes of those programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Federal Energy Administration should withdraw its proposed price regulation change and maintain propane gas prices at or below the level established by existing regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1974
Emergency Public Service Employment Act - Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 such sums as are necessary to carry out public service employment programs under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973. Makes $500,000,000 available for obligation by the Secretary of Labor when the average national rate of unemployment exceeds 4 1/2 percent for three consecutive months during any 12 month period; an additional $500,000,000 if such rate exceeds 5 percent for three consecutive months in any twelve month period; another $1,000,000,000 if such rate exceeds 5 1/2 percent under the same circumstances; and an additional $2,000,000,000 if such rate exceeds 6 percent. Provides for the allocation of funds under this Act to areas in proportion to the number of unemployed persons in such areas as compared to the number of all such persons in all areas under the jurisdiction of the applicant. Authorizes the Secretary to make such reallocations as he deems appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
Freedom From Surveillance Act - States that the President may, in writing, authorize an application to a judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia designated pursuant to specified procedures under this Act, and such judge may grant an order authorizing or approving the interception of wire or oral communications of a foreign power or a foreign agent by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, when such interception will not be inconsistent with the international obligations of the United States and when there is probable cause to believe that such interception is necessary to obtain information which is: (1) necessary to protect the Nation against actual or potential attack or other hostile acts of a foreign power; (2) foreign intelligence information that is essential to the military security or national defense of the United States; or (3) necessary to protect military security or national defense information against foreign intelligence activities. Provides that such authorization of an application to a judge provided for under this Act shall be made by the President personally and shall not be delegated. Specifies the procedures in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for the designation of judges to hear applications for interception of communications relating to military security or national defense, the form of such applications, the reasons and supporting evidence required for approval of the application, and the form of each court order approving interception of communications. States that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, if the President determines that: (1) an emergency situation exists with respect to activities of a foreign power or a foreign agent which poses a substantial threat to the military security or national defense of the United States and that requires a wire or oral communication to be intercepted before an order authorizing such interception can with due diligence be obtained, and (2) there are grounds upon which an order could reasonably be entered under this Act to authorize such interception the President may in advance and in writing authorize the interception of such wire or oral communication by the Federal Bureau of Investigation if an application for an order approving the interception is made in accordance with the provisions of this Act as soon as possible and in any event within forty-eight hours after the interception begins to occur. Provides that any such authorization to intercept shall be made by the President personally and shall not be delegated. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, within a reasonable time but not later than ninety days after the filing of an application for an order of approval which is denied or the termination of the period of an order entered under this section or extensions thereof, the issuing or denying judge shall cause to be served, on the persons named in the order or application and on all reasonably identifiable persons whose communications were intercepted, inventory which shall include notice of: (1) the fact of the entry of the order or the application; (2) the date of the entry and the period of authorized, approved or disapproved interception, or the denial of the application; and (3) the fact that during the period wire or oral communications of such person were or were not intercepted. States that the judge, upon the filing of a motion, shall make available to such person or his counsel for inspection a copy of each court order, extension, and application under which such interception was authorized or approved, and a complete and accurate record of the intercepted communications of such person and other parties to such communications, provided that, upon application of the President, the judge may postpone the disclosure of the interception for ninety days if the judge finds that there is probable cause to believe that such disclosure will endanger the military security or national defense of the United States. Provides that any aggrieved person in any proceeding in or before any authority of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof, may move to suppress the contents of any intercepted wire or oral communication, or evidence derived therefrom, on the grounds that: (1) the communication was unlawfully intercepted; (2) the order of authorization or approval under which it was intercepted is insufficient on its face; (3) the interception was not made in conformity with the order of authorization or approval; or (4) such suppression is required under Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the well-being of the world and all of its people is gravely threatened by exorbitant or rigged foreign oil prices. States that it is further the sense of the Senate that Congress and the American people support President Ford and Secretary Kissinger in their call to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to lower the price of petroleum.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1974
Milk Price Support Act - Provides for the setting of the price support of milk at not less than 100 percent of parity under the provisions of the Agricultural Act of 1949 as the Secretary determines is necessary in order to assure an adequate supply of pure and wholesome milk to meet current needs, reflect changes in the cost of production, and assure a level of farm income to maintain productive capacity sufficient to meet anticipated future needs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1974
Empowers the Small Business Administration to enter into agreements with States to make model program revenue-sharing grants to such States out of funds appropriated pursuant to this Act for the purpose of developing and establishing State and local centers to provide technical assistance and other useful and practical advice, information and services to small business concerns. Limits the Federal share in such programs to 50 percent. Authorizes appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1976 to 1977 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1974
Presidential Recordings Preservation Act - Directs the Administrator of General Services to obtain, or, as the case may be, retain complete possession and control of all tape recordings of conversations which: (1) involve former President Richard M. Nixon and/or other individuals who, at the time of the conversation, were employed by the Federal Government; (2) were recorded in the White House or the Executive Office Building located in Washington, District of Columbia; and (3) were recorded between January 20, 1969, and August 9, 1974, inclusive. Requires that none of the tape recordings covered by this Act shall be destroyed except as may be provided by Congress. Provides that if a Federal court of competent jurisdiction should decide that the provisions of this Act have deprived any individual of private property without just compensation, the Administrator is authorized to provide such compensation, from funds in the Federal treasury, as may be adjudged just by a Federal court of competent jurisdiction. Directs the Administrator to issue such reasonable regulations as may be necessary to assure the protection of such tape recordings above from loss, destruction, or access to unauthorized persons. Directs the Administrator to issue reasonable regulations governing public access to such tape recordings. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Social Security Recipients Fairness Act - Title I: Replacement of Lost, Stolen, or Delayed Checks - Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish procedures for expedited payment of monthly benefits. Requires the Secretary, within one day after the date an individual files for late payment of benefits, to cause such monthly insurance benefits to be paid. Title II: Expediting of Hearings and Determination - States that in the administration of the programs established by titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act, the Secretary shall establish procedures designed to assure that: (1) any duly requested hearing to which an individual is entitled thereunder will be held within a reasonable period of time after such hearing is so requested, if such hearing is requested with respect to a determination of entitlement to benefits; and (2) not later than ninety days after such a hearing is requested, the Secretary shall render a final determination on the issues which were the subject of such hearing, or if no final determination of the Secretary has been made at that time, the Secretary shall make payments of benefits to such individual in like manner as if a final determination has been made fully in favor of such individual.
![Official portrait of Sen. Nelson, Gaylord [D-WI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/n000033_200.jpg)